Hawaii County Civil Defense interactive map of roadblocks, subdivisions, and eruption fissures: hawaii247.com/lavamap

USGS Resources related to the 2018 Kilauea Lower East Rift Zone eruption and Summit Activity

Lower East Rift Zone Kilauea Eruption Update

This video shows spattering at fissure 18, KÄ«lauea Volcano’s Lower East Rift Zone, at approximately 2 a.m. HST on May 16, 2018. The audio captures the sounds of explosions and burning vegetation. Video taken Wednesday, May 16, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

Aerial view (from a helicopter) of spattering between fissures 16 and 20, Kīlauea Volcano Lower East Rift Zone, at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on May 16, 2018. The audio is the sound of the helicopter. Video taken Wednesday, May 16, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

Same area between fissures 16 and 20 at 9:33 a.m. By the time geologists reached the site on foot, the spattering had died down and they were only hearing gas rushing sounds. Photo taken Wednesday, May 16, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

View uprift from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight this morning at 8:25 a.m. Note sulfur dioxide plumes rising from the fissures along the rift and accumulating in the cloud deck. Winds are calm today. Photo taken Wednesday, May 16, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

Lava spattering area from an area between fissures 16 and 20 photographed at 8:20 a.m. today. Photo taken Wednesday, May 16, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

Close view of rock hurled from the Overlook crater during an explosive event last evening. The rock broke apart on impact, and was about 60 cm (24 in) before it hit the ground. The location is a few hundred meters (yards) south of the Overlook crater at the Halema‘uma‘u parking lot. Note the ash covering the parking lot, less than about 1 cm (0.4 in) in thickness. Photo taken Wednesday, May 16, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory status of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii on May 16, 2018.

Map shows the location of the lava flow spreading from fissure 17 as of 7:00 a.m. HST, May 16. The flow is following a path of steepest descent (blue line) south of a 1955 ‘a’ā flow. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Hawaii County Civil Defense 12 noon audio message

This is a Civil Defense Message for 12 noon, Wednesday, May 16, 2018.

The National Weather Service has canceled the Ashfall Advisory as of 8:33 a.m. The National Weather Service reports very light ashfall and hazardous air quality possible. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that occasional bursts of ash are coming from Halemaumau Crater. Light upslope winds may carry ash across portions of Kau, Puna and North and South Hilo Districts. Only trace dusting of ash is currently visible on property.

Due to the volcanic activity, the following are issued:

• Residents of lower Puna: there may be little to no advance notice to evacuate, so take this time to prepare. If you evacuate voluntarily, pet-friendly shelters are open at Pahoa Community Center and KeaÊ»au Community Center.
• The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is working to reopen the Keaau-Pahoa Road (Highway 130) from Malama Street to Kamaili Road this morning for local traffic only. Motorists are advised to drive with caution as metal plates will be placed over the cracks on the roadway. HDOT and County personnel will be stationed along the route to ensure the roadway is safe for local traffic.
• Dept. of Health reports hazardous emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) gas from fissures are especially dangerous for elderly, children/babies and people with respiratory problems. SO₂ can be carried with wind, or, cover an area with no wind.
• Residents of Lower Puna are advised to be on the alert to gas emissions.
• Highway 132 is closed at Pohoiki Road intersection and a checkpoint is located on Highway 130 by Pahoa High School. Only local traffic allowed beyond all roadblocks.
• Only local traffic allowed beyond all roadblocks.
• No one is allowed to go off-road sightseeing. Stay out of the active eruption area. Allow the residents to care for their business.
• Vacation rentals in lower Puna are directed to cease operations to relieve the demand for water as well as reduce the area population so emergency responders can focus on residents who live in the area.
• Hawaii Police Department is enforcing the Federal Aviation Administration’s Temporary Flight Restriction for lower Puna. No helicopter or drone activity is allowed without approval.
• The Civil Defense Recovery Information and Assistance Center (RIAC) will be open on Monday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pahoa Community Center.

Service/Utilities/Agency Update:

• The Kalapana Transfer Station is closed until further notice. The Pāhoa Transfer Station on Apaa Street is open 7 days a week, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Hawai‘i Electric Light reminds residents to treat all downed lines as live. Under no circumstances are you to approach or touch downed lines.
• Emergency water restrictions for the Pohoiki, Vacationland, and Kapoho area are still in effect while personnel work to restore service. Water spigots installed near the entrance of Lava Tree State Park and a water tanker in Vacationland are still available for the public to access.
• The U.S. Postal Service reports that mail delivery has been temporarily suspended to the following neighborhoods in the Puna area of Hawaii island: Leilani Estates, Lanipuna Gardens, Pahoa-Kapoho Road, Papaya Farms, Vacationland, Kapoho Beach, Kapoho-Kalapana Road, Seaview, Puna Palisades, Kehena, Kalapana Shores, Uncle Roberts, Kalapana-Pahoa Road, Chain of Craters Road and Black Sands. Residents of these areas are asked to pick up their mail from the Pahoa Post Office at 15-2859 Pahoa Village Road.
• The Hawai‘i County Police Department and the Prosecutor’s Office have established a policy of zero tolerance towards looting or vandalism. Under Emergency Provisions, any looting or vandalism will be treated as a felony.
• Contact the Humane Society for animal information.

Community Message/Alerts:

• The evacuated residents are going through a very difficult time. We ask for your help and understanding.
• County, State, and Federal partners continue to monitor the situation. You will be informed of any conditions that affect your safety.

Halemaumau Summit Lake explosive eruption hazard

Occasional rockfalls into the deep Kilauea summit Overlook Vent are expected to produce intermittent pulses of slightly more vigorous ash emissions. This image is from a research camera mounted in the observation tower at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. The camera is looking SSE towards the active vent in Halemaʻumaʻu, 1.9 km (1.2 miles) from the webcam. For scale, Halemaʻumaʻu is approximately 1 km (0.6 mi) across and about 85 m (~280 ft) deep.

Hawaii County Civil Defense 4:30 p.m. Saturday (May 12) Kilauea summit explosion hazard audio message

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has cautioned about the possibility of an explosive eruption at Halemaumau.

This is caused by the withdrawal of lava from Halemaumau’s summit lake, which leads to a steam-driven eruption. Such an eruption could generate ash plumes as high as 20,000 feet. The area affected by ash plumes could be as wide as 12 miles.

Should this occur, the following are advised:

• The danger from this eruption is ash fallout. The major response is to protect yourself from fallout.
• If this event occurs while you are at home, stay indoors with the windows closed. Turn on your radio and listen for updates from authorities.
• If you are in your car, keep the windows closed. Ash fallout may cause poor driving conditions, due to limited visibility and slippery driving conditions. Drive with extreme caution, or pull over and park.

After the hazard is passed, do check your home, and especially your catchment system, for any impact that may affect your water quality.

This is precautionary information for your safety in the event that there is a Halemaumau explosive event. We want everyone in the Volcano area to be ready, and to remain safe. Do keep yourself informed and on the alert.

This is your Hawai’i County Civil Defense.

Vog Measurement and Prediction Project by the University of Hawaii, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) Current data and maps can be found at http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/

Get the latest Vog Predictions here: http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Vog (CONDITION RED)

Click on image for full description of air quality levels.

Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the vents in lower Puna. An interruption in trade winds today means that Lower Puna, Volcano Village and surrounding areas, such as the Big Island North, South and Interior, may experience varying levels of vog and sulfur dioxide exposure.  The Hawaii Fire Department reports that air quality is still condition RED around fissures in the southeast area of Lanipuna Gardens and surrounding farm lots on Pohoiki Road.

• Condition RED means immediate danger to health so take action to limit further exposure.
• Severe conditions may exist such as choking and inability to breathe.
• Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) gas from fissures are especially dangerous for elderly, children/babies and people with respiratory problems.

County, State, and Federal partners continue to monitor the situation. You will be informed of any conditions that affect your safety.

Monitor vog levels and forecasts: People on Hawaii Island outside the area of volcanic activity are also advised to monitor levels of vog at https://vog.ivhhn.org